The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has teamed up with WhatsApp to bolster Meta’s 'Scam Se Bacho' campaign against online scams and spam, aiming to educate citizens on spotting and reporting fraudulent communications. This partnership enhances digital safety by combining DoT’s initiatives—such as the citizen-centric Sanchar Saathi portal and mobile app, which allow users to report suspicious calls, manage their mobile connections, and track lost or stolen handsets—with WhatsApp’s vast reach. The Digital Intelligence Platform (DIP) of DoT further supports these efforts by sharing actionable data with over 550 stakeholders, including banks and law enforcement agencies, to curb telecom resource misuse in cybercrime and financial fraud. In addition, the collaboration will feature train-the-trainer workshops for DoT officials, Sanchar Mitras, telecom service providers, and field units, while WhatsApp explores integrating Sanchar Saathi services into its platform for wider dissemination. Speaking on the initiative, Union Minister of Communication and Development of North East Region, Shri Jyotiraditya Scindia, emphasised that ensuring the safety of citizens is paramount in India’s digital transformation journey. Meta’s Chief Global Affairs Officer, Joel Kaplan, added that equipping people with the knowledge to recognise scams is the best defense against fraud. As part of the partnership, WhatsApp will also develop and disseminate informative assets—translated into regional languages such as Hindi, Bengali, Marathi, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, Malayalam, and Gujarati—to help users identify various types of fraud and understand reporting mechanisms. This joint effort reflects DoT’s steadfast commitment to preventing telecom misuse and securing the digital ecosystem for all citizens. (PIB)